This is a discussion on 2004 WRX CEL - How to get code within the General Maintenance, Troubleshooting & Accidents. forums, part of the Tech & Modifying & General Repairs category; So I was cruising on the highway at around 60MPH in Cruise control (fifth gear) and suddenly my Check Engine ...

2004 WRX CEL - How to get code

So I was cruising on the highway at around 60MPH in Cruise control (fifth gear) and suddenly my Check Engine Light came on (CEL does not blink at me). I didn't notice loss of power, no noises, car idles fine, no knocks, no smells, starts up from both cold and warm just fine, cruise control still works and I have boost, so where's the problem?!?!

I've done my fair share of research on the inter-webs and found that on older gen (late 80's - 90's) Subaru's, you can plug these two green wires (Self Diagnostic wires) together, unplug the memory wires and the CEL will actually flash the code on start up. (Slow blinks = 10 and Fast blinks = 1) So I'm not sure how it is with '02 and up models, but I tried this on my 2004 Subaru WRX and the CEL just kept blinking at me, like 2 blinks per second (After replugging the memory and unplugging the green wires, the CEL stopped blinking). There were know apparent codes being flashed at me, so what seemed to work on old scoobies, does in fact, not work for the newer gen scoobies. Unless I'm doing something wrong.

So any thoughts on what this may be? I've found a lot about misfires on with these cars, especially with the 3rd cylinder, but I think I'd know if my car was misfiring no?

Here's a video on what I'm referring to with older gen scoobies and their self diagnostic CEL blinking thing

Do you want to make a gamble? If you're willing to risk a few $ and some time, go ahead and troubleshoot a PO171. Whether the code is PO171 or not, the troubleshooting is good practice and there is in my view a very decent chance I'm write about the code anyway. So get some MAF cleaner, an air filter if needed, and check for vac leaks etc. See PO171 troubleshooting for more info.

Blind shot but it might work and if you can't read the code you have nothing (much) to lose.

WRX Info Links, Courtesy TheJMan is a brute.... If you're cruel to him, he respects and fears you. If you're kind to him, he plucks your eyes out. Alexis ZorbasI lied. I cheated. I bribed men to cover the crimes of other men. I am an accessory to murder. But the most damning thing of all... I think I can live with it. And if I had to do it all over again - I would. Benjamin Sisko
DISCLAIMER: Opinions expressed are the author's alone and are inherently worthless.

k just got back from Autozone, they said it's an o2 sensor, something about bank 1? it would cost me around $190 for the o2 sensor. Is this the infamous up-pipe cat going? Anyone have any ideas on this?

WRX Info Links, Courtesy TheJMan is a brute.... If you're cruel to him, he respects and fears you. If you're kind to him, he plucks your eyes out. Alexis ZorbasI lied. I cheated. I bribed men to cover the crimes of other men. I am an accessory to murder. But the most damning thing of all... I think I can live with it. And if I had to do it all over again - I would. Benjamin Sisko
DISCLAIMER: Opinions expressed are the author's alone and are inherently worthless.

Before you spend money on a sensor you many not need I'd urge you to post the actual code. This is because sensor are expensive an in some cases although the CEL is ostensibly for a sensor, the sensor itself is among the last things to check, and therefore among the last things to replace.

If he says PO171 guy some MAF cleaner while you're there.

WRX Info Links, Courtesy TheJMan is a brute.... If you're cruel to him, he respects and fears you. If you're kind to him, he plucks your eyes out. Alexis ZorbasI lied. I cheated. I bribed men to cover the crimes of other men. I am an accessory to murder. But the most damning thing of all... I think I can live with it. And if I had to do it all over again - I would. Benjamin Sisko
DISCLAIMER: Opinions expressed are the author's alone and are inherently worthless.

Then I'm going to have to go back down to Autozone and ask for the code because he NEVER told me the code, he just said, "The o2 sensor in bank 1 is probably going bad, let me see how much they're running for... $190."

Not sure why he didn't give me a code...

I'll report back tomorrow with the code, I'll strangle it out of them if I have to lol!

Try letting your fingers do the walking but that may not yield a reliable answer I suppose. It may still be a costly sensor but you do not know yet. Hopefully it is not.

WRX Info Links, Courtesy TheJMan is a brute.... If you're cruel to him, he respects and fears you. If you're kind to him, he plucks your eyes out. Alexis ZorbasI lied. I cheated. I bribed men to cover the crimes of other men. I am an accessory to murder. But the most damning thing of all... I think I can live with it. And if I had to do it all over again - I would. Benjamin Sisko
DISCLAIMER: Opinions expressed are the author's alone and are inherently worthless.

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